“I could have stopped it”: Explosive testimony reopens the Sindiso Magaqa murder case
Sindiso Magaqa murder testimony shocks commission. Image Source; Wiki
Fresh revelations at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry have reignited national debate around the assassination of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, with an undercover intelligence operative claiming the killing could have been prevented.
Testifying partially behind closed doors, an operative known as Witness E told the commission he was aware of a plot to assassinate Magaqa months before the fatal shooting, but alleged that warnings to his superiors were ignored. The testimony has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s political and law-enforcement landscape, reopening questions about political killings, police accountability, and alleged high-level cover-ups.
Who Was Sindiso Magaqa?
Sindiso Magaqa was a rising political figure within the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and a councillor in KwaZulu-Natal. Known for his outspoken stance against corruption, he became a prominent voice within local and national party structures.
In July 2017, Magaqa and two fellow councillors were ambushed outside a general dealer after a council meeting in Idisi, southern KwaZulu-Natal. He later died on 4 September 2017, aged 35, from complications linked to the attack. His killing quickly became one of South Africa’s most high-profile political assassinations.
Witness E: ‘I Knew Two Months Before’
Appearing before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, Witness E claimed he was informed of a plan to kill Magaqa as early as July 2017, two months before the fatal shooting.
According to the operative, the information came directly from the alleged gunmen, not through intelligence reports or hearsay. He said he escalated the matter to his superiors and even proposed preventative steps that could have saved Magaqa’s life.
“They did not want to listen to me,” Witness E told the commission, adding that the failure to act remains one of the most troubling aspects of the case.
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Claims of a Preventable Murder
In a dramatic moment during testimony, Witness E conceded that the murder could have been stopped had action been taken between the warning and the shooting. Despite portraying himself as a highly effective operative with a strong track record in infiltrating criminal syndicates, he acknowledged his inability to intervene.
Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga pressed the witness on why no arrests or protective measures were put in place, highlighting what the commission described as a systemic failure within law enforcement structures.
Allegations of High-Level Involvement
Perhaps the most explosive claim was Witness E’s assertion that the alleged masterminds behind Magaqa’s killing were linked to senior officials, whom he described as his superiors. While he refused to name individuals publicly, citing safety and operational constraints, the allegation has intensified scrutiny of political interference in criminal investigations.
The witness also revealed that in December 2024, he was contacted by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, during which he disclosed everything he knew about the case, including the identities of those he believed were involved.
Justice Delayed, But Not Forgotten
In July 2025, hitman Sbusiso Ncengwa was sentenced to 25 years in prison for Magaqa’s murder. However, the conviction of the gunman did little to silence concerns about who ordered the killing and why.
The Madlanga Commission’s renewed focus on the case has raised hopes among Magaqa’s supporters that long-standing questions around political accountability and justice may finally be addressed.
Why the Magaqa Case Still Matters
The killing of Sindiso Magaqa remains a symbol of South Africa’s political violence crisis, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where dozens of politically linked assassinations have occurred over the past decade.
The commission’s findings could have far-reaching consequences, not only for those implicated but also for the credibility of the criminal justice system tasked with protecting whistle-blowers and political figures.
FAQ
Who was Sindiso Magaqa?
Sindiso Magaqa was a former ANC Youth League secretary-general and KwaZulu-Natal councillor known for opposing corruption.
How did Sindiso Magaqa die?
He was shot in July 2017 outside a shop in southern KwaZulu-Natal and died weeks later from complications related to the attack.
What is the Madlanga Commission investigating?
The commission is probing corruption and failures within the criminal justice system, including political interference in high-profile cases like Magaqa’s murder.
Who is Witness E?
Witness E is an undercover intelligence operative under witness protection who testified that Magaqa’s murder was known in advance.
Could Sindiso Magaqa’s murder have been prevented?
According to Witness E, yes. He claims the assassination plot was known months earlier but no action was taken.
Have any arrests been made in the case?
Yes. Hitman Sbusiso Ncengwa was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2025, but questions remain about those who ordered the killing.
Why is the case resurfacing now?
New testimony at the Madlanga Commission has revealed alleged cover-ups and high-level involvement that were not fully examined before.
